Three of the class students rehearsing their “Bingo” skit.

We had the final class of Christine Decker’s Acting 101 class Tuesday night, the class was held in the main theater of the Oldcastle Theater Company in Bennington, Vt., a vibrant theater that focuses on community theater and  education as well as plays.

The last class was also a final rehearsal for the free Showcase Friday night, in which almost all of the people in the class are performing monologues, skits or scenes. Some are original works.

I’m opening the show with Red, I’m doing a monologue on The Story Of Red, I am excited to be honoring Red and telling his story.

I’ve only run through the monologue once, I don’t want to repeat it too much or try telling the story from a script or memorized text.

I’ll just tell it the way it happened, the story of Red was – is – a story of life, death, love, God, mercy, it is another in the powerful series of stories about how a dog can change the life of a man, and many others as well.

Red led me into my therapy work with hospice and the Mansion, even the refugees. He guided me towards my goal of wanting to do good. He accompanied me every step of the way.

This remarkable animal began life in Northern Ireland and then Virginia, and then to me. I am proud and happy to be telling his story as he struggles with severe severe health problems, including a fractured spine.

The show is Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Oldcastle Theater on Main Street in Bennington,Vt.  Me and Red, we’re ready.